INDIANAPOLIS – The Society of Professional Journalists and other journalism groups sent a letter today as the planned enforcement of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ evacuation order to those at the Dakota Access Pipeline camp is underway.

In their letter, SPJ, Committee to Protect Journalists, Native American Journalists Association, National Press Photographers Association and Online News Association urge officials in Cannon Ball, North Dakota, to allow journalists to cover the events at Standing Rock safely.

“The journalists at Standing Rock are doing the important work of letting the public know what is happening there, and they need to be able to do that work without fear of arrest, violence or confiscation of their equipment,” said SPJ National President Lynn Walsh.

The groups contacted the Morton County Sheriff’s Department last week to offer training to law enforcement and journalists there on ways they can peacefully work together. As of this afternoon, the sheriff’s department had not responded.

The organizations additionally urge officials to drop charges against journalists who have been arrested while covering Standing Rock.